Surviving Abuse Podcast

I’m Mickie Zada and I lived in abuse…for 34 years…from age 19 until I was 53.
I believe we create our realities, and I chose to stay in a damaging relationship for so long because I thought it was my Calling. I was wrong.
I changed me. I am now an enthusiastic participant in Life.
“The words ‘I am’ are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.” A.L. Kitselman
I am a strong woman, a fabulous woman, over 60 years old.
I am a Change-agent. I am an encourager. I am uniquely qualified to speak to living in abuse, getting out and surviving to the fullest extent. I know what it takes. I know the fear. I am a survivor.
I am a coach.
I am happy to have these “I Am” words to reach back and claim me!
The actions I teach and share are those that I’ve learned in my Journey from choosing to live in abuse to choosing to create my authentic life; safe, sound, Real.
I invite you to read through this web page. Think about who I Am. Read blogs, listen to some podcasts, watch live videos. Do we connect?
I am open and exposed. Choose to reach out to me or not.
What I know for sure is that I lived the life of abuse, and got out, and I’ve thrived, to serve as a beacon to other women.
If you live in abuse, or you’ve recently escaped, it’s my Mission to support and encourage you to choose and live a healthy life.
The materials, the tools, the support is here.
It’s your responsibility to grab hold and change yourself, from the in-side out.

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My guest, Christen Sacco, is a shining beacon of Light for women treading the darker paths of Life. She is proof positive that we can make different choices, that we do create our realities and when we decide we deserve better, our lives will change.

At 20 years old she had quit college because she was pregnant. With a 5 month old infant, feeling like she had no marketable skills, and her abuser telling her there was no chance she could make it on her own (and that no one would want her with a young baby in tow), she struck out on her own.

Christen worked full time, went back to college to earn a business degree and was an active, loving, caring Mom to her son. It wasn’t easy. She says, “If I can do this, anyone can! Don’t give up!”

Fifteen years later, Christen is a motivator, writing a book about domestic abuse and actively speaking out to bring the epidemic of domestic abuse from of the dark crevices of silence onto center stage.

She can be followed on Instagram (Christen Sacco), through her blog at ChristenSacco.com, and on Facebook (Christen Starr Sacco).

Oh, how often I thought that, while living in abuse; “I am never going to be good enough!”

Gia is open, honest, raw and descriptive of her abuser’s behavior toward her. She is the same about her actions, doing everything she could not to incite his anger, fury, dangerous actions toward her. Walking on eggshells. Living in fear.

She tells us how she tried so hard to love him enough, to not say things that would make him angry, to be home immediately after work, to leave work when he demanded she do so.

She describes his unreasonable accusations, how he threatened a friend with a gun, how she finally realized she could not live that way any longer.

Then she encountered a judge who would not allow mention of domestic abuse. The judge refused any evidence or police reports and gave their child’s abusive Dad equal shared custody, without supervision.

Gia’s is a horrific, and not uncommon, story. Listen to this strong woman’s description of her life in abuse, and how she is now creating a safe place to share her story…to speak her Truth!

If you have questions or would like to host Gia on your podcast, she can be reached at giacontini13@gmail.com

Mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, woman rights advocate and philanthropist are a few of the hats Rania Arwani wears.

Her goal is to educate women in abusive relationships to identify the signs of abuse and motivate them to speak up for themselves and their children.

Rania has domestic abuse in her past; tragic, violent abuse. She endured a long and costly battle for custody of her children and embraced her Mission to become an attorney and help other women the way here attorneys helped her. With her family in Dubai, Rania entered law school in Florida, a single mother of two young children. Thankfully her sister was able to come stay with Rania in the States, but those were stressful, difficult, traumatic years. Her dedication paid off.

This episode is the first time Rania has spoken her Truth publicly. I am proud that she chose Surviving Abuse Podcast for this special occasion!

After listening to this podcast, you may contact Rania Arwani through her web site, www.ArwaniLawFirm.com or call her office at 407-254-0060. If you are looking for legal assistance in divorce or child custody issues, Rania’s website offers a free 15-minute consultation.

A Hijackal® is a person who hijacks relationships, for their own purposes, while scavenging them for power, status, and control.

Hijackals® make you question your sanity and constantly second-guess yourself. That’s their game … and they are very good at it! They play to win … at any cost.

Sound familiar? Of course!

My guest is Dr. Rhoberta Shaler and she coined the word Hijackal®. Her Mission is helping people identify emotional abuse and learn that there is a safer, saner, better world available. Dr. Shaler discusses the fact that there are reasons we are attracted to, and are attractive to, abusers and that there is choice involved in embracing our freedom from their control.

Listen to this fascinating discussion about Hijackals® ; who they are and what’s really going on in the crazy-making relationships in your life.

Learn more about Dr. Rhoberta Shaler at www.forrelationshiphelp.com. Her YouTube channel is For Relationship Help and her podcasts on iTunes and all the other popular podcast channels are Emotional Savvy and Save Your Sanity. On her web site you can access her online television show, Emotional Savvy, and subscribe to her newsletter. When you’re ready, Dr Shaler is available for online counseling, around the world!